The Bergen County woman lived alone and was reported missing after she failed to pay her February rent.

“Checking on them will not change anything. Hoarders are very resistant to simply advice or recommendation,” Kornhaber told Putney. “Nine times out of 10, I say to the person ‘please have the hoarder call me.’ They never call.”

“Many people who go for help are forced to by health officials, fire departments,” Kornhaber said. “In almost all cases, it takes the act of intervention of a therapist or hoarding specialist who actually really has to come by and visit to get results.”